Roxy patrons were among the first to see future superstar Natalie Wood, who at just under five years old made her screen debut with an uncredited bit role in the B&W “Happy Land.”
Gary Cooper, who’d never acted on the stage before, appeared in a short play specially written for the engagement. “Sitting Pretty” opened that same day at the Brooklyn Paramount, with Milton Berle topping the stage show.
I neglected to mention that “Kismet” was preceded on screen by “The Tender Trap,” which had been part of the Thanksgiving holiday offering. Both films were from MGM, which had seven other bookings at the Music Hall in that year of 1955: “Jupiter’s Darling,” “Hit the Deck,” “The Glass Slipper,” “Interrupted Melody,” “Love Me or Leave Me,” “It’s Always Fair Weather,” and “Trial.”
The “fins” were apparently used to adjust seating capacity, and could be extended to the side walls of the orchestra floor, as shown in another photo taken during a stage performance.
The exclusive L.A. engagement of “Guys and Dolls” began with a star-studded charity gala on the night of November 22nd, with public performances starting the next day.
With two major films opening on a national holiday, WB decided to pair them in one ad. “Casablanca” proved such a hit at the Hollywood that it was later moved to the Strand (with a stage show in support).
The screen program included the world premiere of Walt Disney’s Technicolor cartoon, “Ferdinand the Bull,” which went on to earn a fortune in royalties from merchandise tie-ins.
The ad doesn’t mention what film was shown at the charity benefit on opening night. I somehow doubt that it was “Judgment at Nuremberg,” which many people would have already seen by that time.
This ad was a stretch of WB’s imagination. The real draw wasn’t the silent feature but the stage show, reported to be the most spectacular that “Roxy” had ever produced in his career so far.
Who could resist Marlene Dietrich’s first feature made not just in color, but in “perfected” Technicolor?
Roxy patrons were among the first to see future superstar Natalie Wood, who at just under five years old made her screen debut with an uncredited bit role in the B&W “Happy Land.”
All performances included a stage prologue entitled “Sidewalks of New York” with “200 people” (presumably including orchestra musicians).
Gary Cooper, who’d never acted on the stage before, appeared in a short play specially written for the engagement. “Sitting Pretty” opened that same day at the Brooklyn Paramount, with Milton Berle topping the stage show.
I neglected to mention that “Kismet” was preceded on screen by “The Tender Trap,” which had been part of the Thanksgiving holiday offering. Both films were from MGM, which had seven other bookings at the Music Hall in that year of 1955: “Jupiter’s Darling,” “Hit the Deck,” “The Glass Slipper,” “Interrupted Melody,” “Love Me or Leave Me,” “It’s Always Fair Weather,” and “Trial.”
By this time, Loew’s had only four theatres in Queens, having dropped the Prospect, Plaza, and Woodside to conform to Federal anti-trust demands.
This was actually a Re-opening, with extensive renovations and new management.
The “fins” were apparently used to adjust seating capacity, and could be extended to the side walls of the orchestra floor, as shown in another photo taken during a stage performance.
Listed midway in second column of St. Louis participants in this national event.
This was just one night after the gala launch of “The Sand Pebbles” at the nearby Rivoli. Autograph hunters were abuzz with excitement.
Opened as a reserved-seat roadshow on December 20th, 1966.
Thanks to advance promotion on radio and recordings, the Technicolor musical already had a #1 song on popularity charts.
The exclusive L.A. engagement of “Guys and Dolls” began with a star-studded charity gala on the night of November 22nd, with public performances starting the next day.
“Hills of Home” was the Thanksgiving holiday movie for that year.
“Madison Square Garden” was a B&W actioner with Jack Oakie as a boxer aiming for a championship bout at guess where?
The beloved composer and bandleader stole the spotlight from the silent feature.
The period musical revived “Aba Daba Honeymoon,” which became a hit single for Jane Powell and Carleton Carpenter on MGM’s own record label.
With two major films opening on a national holiday, WB decided to pair them in one ad. “Casablanca” proved such a hit at the Hollywood that it was later moved to the Strand (with a stage show in support).
The Hamlin re-opened as the modernized Alex on the night of May 22nd, 1938. An ad has been uploaded to the photos section.
This was the first Thanksgiving for the Ziegfeld, which had opened during the Christmas season of 1969 with “Marooned” on screen.
By this date of November 24th, 1966, the Albee, which had always played exclusively ahead of Brooklyn theatres, was reduced to day-and-date status.
Opened on November 19th, 1927, with Thanksgiving Day celebrated on November 24th.
The screen program included the world premiere of Walt Disney’s Technicolor cartoon, “Ferdinand the Bull,” which went on to earn a fortune in royalties from merchandise tie-ins.
The ad doesn’t mention what film was shown at the charity benefit on opening night. I somehow doubt that it was “Judgment at Nuremberg,” which many people would have already seen by that time.
This ad was a stretch of WB’s imagination. The real draw wasn’t the silent feature but the stage show, reported to be the most spectacular that “Roxy” had ever produced in his career so far.